Fantasy Football Sits of the Week: Diggs and Brown Present Risky Floor Concerns

The past week delivered some intriguing developments for fantasy football managers, with several players showing concerning trends that could impact lineup decisions moving forward. From snap share issues to efficiency struggles, these developments create situations where highly-rostered players might need to find a spot on your bench.

Stefon Diggs (WR - New England Patriots)

Despite solid production with 456 receiving yards on 44 targets this season, Diggs presents a concerning snap share situation that makes him a risky fantasy start. He's playing just 54 percent of the snaps despite catching seven passes for 69 yards against Tennessee, which signals potential volatility in his weekly usage. The Patriots offense has been spreading targets around with Drake Maye under center, and while Diggs ranks as the overall WR26 in PPR leagues, his limited field time creates a troubling floor for fantasy purposes. The 31-year-old receiver is coming off an ACL tear and may be on a pitch count that fantasy managers can't predict week to week. His route rate has fluctuated dramatically, jumping from 56% early in the season to 86% in Week 4, then back down to concerning levels that make him unreliable for consistent fantasy production.

Chase Brown (RB - Cincinnati Bengals)

Brown has been one of fantasy football's biggest disappointments this season before his recent breakout against Pittsburgh, but the underlying metrics remain deeply concerning. His 2.7 yards per carry ranks among the worst for qualified running backs, with just 1.2 yards before contact highlighting poor offensive line play and scheme issues. The absence of Joe Burrow has severely limited the Cincinnati offense, creating negative game scripts that hurt Brown's effectiveness and touchdown opportunities. While he finally broke through with 108 yards against the Steelers, this came after managing just 304 total yards from scrimmage through six games prior. His carries have been inconsistent, dropping to 10 or fewer in four straight games before the recent uptick, and the Bengals' offensive struggles suggest this breakthrough may be more of an outlier than a trend reversal.

Justin Herbert (QB - Los Angeles Chargers)

Herbert leads the league in passing yards with 1,913, but the concerning trend is his protection situation that threatens both his health and fantasy ceiling. He's absorbing more hits than any quarterback in the league, with coach Jim Harbaugh describing the situation as very concerning after Herbert faced pressure 35 times in the loss to Indianapolis. Key offensive linemen Joe Alt, Trey Pipkins, and Jamaree Salyer are all dealing with injuries, creating an unstable pocket that limits Herbert's ability to step up in crucial moments. Despite throwing for a career-high 420 yards recently, his two interceptions in that game highlighted how the pressure affects his decision-making. The Chargers have struggled with negative game scripts after their strong start, and the combination of poor protection and defensive struggles creates a situation where Herbert may be forced into low-percentage throws that hurt his fantasy scoring consistency.

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB - New England Patriots)

Ball security concerns continue to plague Stevenson despite his recent improvement, making him a volatile fantasy option week to week. He lost three fumbles through the first five games, including two crucial turnovers against Pittsburgh that included one near the goal line. While he's maintained his lead back role and dominated 77% of snaps over the last two games, the Patriots' investment in rookie TreVeyon Henderson suggests any fumbling regression could quickly shift the backfield dynamics. His efficiency has been inconsistent with a 3.55 yards per carry average, and the Patriots offense has struggled to create consistent scoring opportunities that would boost his touchdown upside. The team's coaching staff has publicly addressed his ball security issues, and another fumbling performance could immediately reduce his workload in favor of the more reliable Henderson.

Filed under: Free Articles